Anne Fraser - The Playboy of Harley Street

‘I’m okay,’ Lucy said. ‘But I will have a sleep. Don’t say anything to Mum, will you? She’s happy right now.’

Katie’s heart went out to Lucy. Along the way she had become used to pretending for her mother’s sake.

Lucy was asleep in seconds and Katie was covering her with a blanket when there was a knock on the door. She answered it and put her finger to her lips when she saw Fabio standing there. He’d changed out of his suit and into a pair of light trousers and an open-necked, short-sleeved shirt. Katie felt over dressed in her jacket and trousers.

He glanced over her shoulder and, seeing Lucy, tiptoed into the room. ‘I was just looking for her,’ he whispered. ‘How’s she doing?’

‘Exhausted, I think. I suggested she have her nap here, where I can keep an eye on her. I think it’s all been too much for her. The journey, the excitement of seeing her parents, as well as the prospect of watching her father race.’

Fabio scrutinised Lucy’s face while feeling her pulse. He straightened and smiled at Katie. ‘She’s okay. Rest is good. I’ll let Amelia know where she is.’

‘I’ll stay with her until she wakes up,’ Katie said. ‘Tell Amelia not to worry.’

Fabio nodded his head in the direction of the balcony and Katie followed him outside. He closed the door behind them.

‘It’s important we let Lucy do whatever she feels able to,’ he said. ‘It’s what she wants. Understandably her parents would prefer to wrap her in cotton wool, but Lucy has let me know in no uncertain terms that she wants to be treated as if she were any child.

‘She doesn’t want us to treat her as if she’s a patient,’ he continued. ‘She prefers to think of us as being friends of her parents, people who are here because they want to be, rather than because she’s ill. I like to think of all my patients in terms of the family and not in isolation.’

That explained Fabio’s informal and apparently casual attitude. Katie found herself revising her opinion of him once again.

‘She’s a brave girl,’ Katie said. She looked around the marina, taking in the wealth all around. ‘My guess is that her parents would give every penny they have to have her well.’

‘And you’d be right. But they can’t.’ His expression relaxed. ‘They’re really glad to have you here, you know. They wouldn’t have risked bringing Lucy out here unless they knew she could have professional physio on hand whenever she needs it. A lot of parents do the therapy themselves, but Amelia hates doing it. She’s scared she hurts Lucy.’

‘I can appreciate that, but I think we should encourage her to give it a go. I won’t always be around to do Lucy’s physio—at least, not as often as she needs it. Besides, once they learn how to do it and get confident, many parents become really good at it.’

He studied her as if he were truly seeing her for the first time and she shifted uncomfortably under the intensity of his gaze. ‘You’re a surprise, Katie Simpson, do you know that? I get the feeling that if anyone can persuade Amelia, it’ll be you.’ He looked as if he was about to add something but then he turned to leave. ‘We’ll be up on deck if you’re looking for us,’ he said.

By the time Katie had finished unpacking her few belongings and taken a shower, Lucy was awake again. Realising that her suit was totally inappropriate, Katie changed into a skirt and cotton blouse. They went back on deck to find Mark had returned and Fabio was chatting to both him and Amelia.

As soon as Amelia saw them, she rushed over to her daughter and hugged her tightly.

‘Did you have a good sleep, sweetie?’

Lucy nodded. ‘Katie let me use her bed.’

‘Daddy is going back to the track to practise. Do you want to come and watch? Or would you rather stay here and wait to see him in the race?’

‘Mummy, I said before, I’m coming and you’re not to fuss,’ Lucy said. ‘I’m okay.’ She softened her tone and smiled at her father. ‘I can’t wait to see Daddy practise.’

Mark scooped his daughter into his arms. ‘And so you will. C’mon, then. Let’s get going.’

The race track was only a short drive from the yacht, so close they could have walked, although it didn’t seem to occur to anyone to do so. No doubt they were scared of tiring their daughter unnecessarily. As soon as Katie was out of the air-conditioned car, she smelled oil and rubber.

‘Hey, Fabio. If you fancy a spin around the track, I’m sure I could arrange it.’ Mark said.

Mark had to be kidding.

But Fabio didn’t seem think so. A broad smile spread across his face. ‘Fancy it? That’s putting it mildly. I’d give my right arm for a go in one of those monsters you race.’

Mark laughed. ‘I knew you’d be up for it. Okay, then, let’s go and get you suited up.’

The two men left them to go and change.

‘Can Mark do that?’ Katie asked. ‘I mean, let Fabio have a shot at driving the car? Surely there are rules?’

Amelia smiled. ‘You’ll soon learn that one thing neither Fabio nor my husband care about are rules. They’re both adrenaline junkies.’

‘So I heard on the plane,’ Katie said. ‘Lucy said that they met BASE jumping?’

‘God, yes. I made Mark give it up as soon as I watched a video of him and Fabio doing it. It’s a crazy sport. They throw themselves off these huge cliffs and wait until they’re almost halfway down before they open their parachutes. So many people die, it’s practically outlawed in some places.’

God, it sounded even more dangerous than Fabio had made out.

Lucy was skipping ahead of them, but to be on the safe side Katie lowered her voice.

‘Aren’t you scared something will happen to Mark when he’s racing?’

Amelia’s expression darkened. ‘I’m terrified every time he goes out on that track, believe me, but he wouldn’t be the man I love if he didn’t do what he does. I couldn’t stop him anyway. All I can do is pray that he’ll stay safe.’ She smiled briefly. ‘But it’s not as dangerous as people think. At least all the cars are going in the same direction and there are ambulances and people with fire extinguishers on standby the whole time. On the whole, I’m happier with Mark racing than BASE jumping.’ She shuddered. ‘Now, that terrified me.’

It wasn’t exactly reassuring. Having a husband who was a racing driver must be close to having a brother in the army in Afghanistan. Why was it that some men needed to face danger to feel alive? Didn’t they realise the agony they put their loved ones through? But people didn’t choose who they fell in love with. Amelia had still fallen for Mark despite his chosen career, and Suzy had never tried to stop Richard from doing the job he loved either.

Katie vowed that when she fell in love it would be with someone she knew she had a good chance of growing old with.

At the race track, they were made welcome. They were offered a seat in the viewing area and a cool drink, but Lucy was keen to visit the pits, so that was where they headed.

The area was crowded with mechanics fiddling with engines and chatting. Fabio and Mark were already there, suited up in similar overalls. Fabio looked in his element.

‘I’d rather race,’ he was saying to Mark. ‘I know you’ll beat me hands down but, hey, I’ll never get another chance to race you again.’

‘You wouldn’t see me for dust, mate.’ Mark’s expression turned serious. ‘These babies are worth a small fortune, Fabio, and with your track record you have to promise me you’ll stay under a hundred and twenty. Keep behind me, but not too close. I don’t want you taking me out by accident. And we’re only doing two laps. Okay? Use the first to get used to how the car handles.’